Jake White and his rough Sharks side go south to the Cape to take on Gert Smal’s resurgent Stormers this weekend. It will be cold at Newlands, and maybe a bit damp, and the Sharks have a lot of work to do.
Yes, the banana boys are in the playoffs and won’t be overtaken within the South Africa Conference but depending on the result of the Crusaders versus Highlanders tilt, they may need a bonus-point win to book a bye and a home semi-final at Kings Park.
The Stormers are finally finding consistent form, and will want to finish ahead of their arch rivals, the Bulls, in second place in the conference.
In the last four games, the Cape side has averaged 23.5 points and conceded less than seven a game. Yes, they have also been slightly more adventurous, but realistically their defence has been the big difference in their changing fortunes. Which is a problem for Jake.
Jakeball, as Spiro likes to call it, has produced only two try bonus points in 2014.
The Capetonians will not give Jake an easy ride. The Sharks were the last South African team to beat the Stormers on their famous home park, in the semi-final of 2012. In fact, since 2009, the Stormers have lost only three Newlands derbies.
Meanwhile, Jake knows he has to have home advantage in the playoffs.
He is starting Frans Steyn at flyhalf, which I believe slows the Sharks’ exit game, even though he has a siege gun boot. Look for heavy pressure by Schalk Burger, Duane Vermeulen and Nizaam Carr on those clearance kicks, which seem to take an eternity to load for the big back.
When the kicks do find awkward spaces, the back three of the Stormers must look to counter. Jaco Taute needs a solid game under the high ball, as he is flanked by diminutive Gio Aplon and Cheslin Kolbe. But if Steyn is errant or sloppy, as he can be at flyhalf, Aplon and Kolbe can find gaps.
However, on the ground, Steyn can get over the gain line with Kurt Coleman not an imposing tackler, and the Sharks’ midfield of Paul Jordaan and JP Pietersen will look to expose the defensive frailties of Coleman and Juan de Jongh.
But the real clash will come from the big ball carriers coming around the corner, with Willem Alberts, Bismarck du Plessis, and Marcel Coetzee banging into Burger, Vermeulen and Michael Rhodes. Heyneke Meyer will watch, nervously.
The battle of the front row is intriguing. With live wire hooker Deon Fourie out, the Stormer’s scrum should improve. Tiaan Liebenberg will give Bismarck more of a battle. Also, Pat Cilliers will look to unsettle Jannie du Plessis.
The Sharks should have an advantage in the second row battle, with promising Stephan Lewies and unsung Anton Bresler having a clear advantage.
But it’s the bench where the Sharks might find the points they need. Low-running Kyle Cooper, underrated props Wiehahn Herbst and Lourens Adriaanse, along with the formidable flanker Jean Deysel and speedster Tonderai Chavhanga can make an impact at the end.
Still, I fancy the upward-trending Stormers at home against the fading Sharks. Lock your doors, put the children to bed, and watch a real grudge match unfold.
My prediction: Stormers 17 Sharks 13.
It is Burger's linking game that can be of benefit late in the game when it opens up.
Harry Jones
Guest
True about the coaching gap! Jake took the cake. Also, Coetzee looked bigger/stronger than Carr. My only point about Burger is he can actually play at 6-7-8 at any point in any Test anywhere in the world; under any pressure. So I think you're right about him not starting. But he's a great asset at the moment, and perhaps the second best 8 in SA.
fanie
Guest
Ja well now we need a linker if we get the ball.If the AB outplays us in the loose i was right if Vermeulen does not disappear during the match i will personally apologize on this web site.One thing is for certain why i enjoy rugby and this web site is that you could voice an opinion and are always open to constructive debate.What i saw was a Lions team that ran riot against the Cheetas.Good scrumming passing of the ball and ticking all the right boxes.Unknown players stood and demolished Springbok players.Well done Johan.The difference between a coach and a good coach was clearly evident during the Stormers Shark match and also evident how well the young players performed.Schalk was a good servant of rugby and a fantastic player but there are at least 3 flanks better than him.We can only measure ourselves against the best and in a short while we will all know .Heyneke i hope that you watched on Sat how a coach plans and the different strategy used on a rugby field.Fasten your seat belts the Curry Cup is coming and i bet Transvaal is going to dismantle a few teams.Opportunistic tries come from relentless pressure and mistakes.
Harry Jones
Guest
Almost!!!
Harry Jones
Guest
All hail the Sharks! Nice win; opportunistic tries. Burger was everywhere.; showed a lot of heart and skill. His pass (both directions) better than a lot of 9s. As we've said, he's a great loose forward sub for SA: plays all three positions and would never fail us.
Vermeulen has proven himself already, there is no better 8 in SA, Burger is not the battering ram he was, but has improved his linking game
Jordaan and Lambie
PeterK
Guest
well a bit of karma there. Looks like sharks and crusaders have to bash the shiite out of each other (if sharks manage to beat the highlanders that is).
fanie
Guest
After all said and done the Sharks have dismantled the Stormers as Mallet apt comment they used slow poison.Furthermore the brain is an very important organ that is located between the ears and which White has plenty of.Players egos were dented none more than Burger Vermeulen had to go off and it was a pity.The forward pack of the Stormers played second fiddle with Carr the best.Having secured eighty percent of territory in the second half they were stopped by very good defence.Coetzee one word of advice do not become predictable.A personal opinion Burger is not Springbok material Vermeulen has to prove himself this year against the likes of the AB and OZ.Congrats to the Lions and Ackerman Kriel played well and Minnie who did not play will not disgrace a Bok team.Mr Meyer cast your net wide as we have plenty of rugby players in SA>
Colin Kennedy
Guest
Jordaan's a good attacker and he's been out for most of the season, so i expect more attack from the midfield. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Sharks got their two bonus point wins in the only games Jordaan played?
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Exactly my wishes Mr G! It would be a dream if it works out that way!
Harry Jones
Guest
True. Now he thinks too much
Harry Jones
Guest
Haha! And the kak reference
Harry Jones
Guest
Haha! Yes, Sharks have better recent pedigree at going for the blood in the water.... But it would be sweet revenge....
Harry Jones
Guest
Willie is getting better at defence. Remember he improved his line kicking too. I think he is serious student of game.
Mr.G
Roar Rookie
Not sure why my comment went into moderation?. This is what I posted. Edit- think I understood. The Roar has a problem with Sbura's surname. ___________________________________________________________________ Jake’s play Frans at 10. We might win the game, but I doubt we’d score four tries. I can’t quite understand why he doesn’t start Zeilinga at 10. He was good against the Tahs, has made his way through the system, and is a fairly efficient goal kicker, which takes pressure off Steyn’s knee. He will certainly offer more than Swiel, who is talented, but looks like too much is being asked of him too early. The other thing I’m not getting is the JP Sbura switch. Ok, Heyneke might have asked him to play JP at 13, but why muddle with the team so late in the season? Sbura is a confidence player, and Sbura at 13 and JP at 14 is far better as a combo than JP at 13 and Sbura at 14. JP was a class wing in 2012, not sure why he wants to switch to OC. Just hope Thomas du Toit doesn’t pick up an injury, with Chadwick and Beast both out. BB- we did try flinging it a bit around against the Cheetahs, but as it tends to happen, final passes didn’t stick, and there was nothing to show for a few good phases of play. My hopes- Highlanders (somehow!) beat Crusaders and if possible win the conference. We beat Stormers (BP not required) and go to second. Highlanders beat Chiefs, Crusaders beat Brumbies in a physical battle. We beat Highlanders and let Crusaders and Tahs beat the shit out of each other in the other semi. Final Sharks vs Crusaders at KP, Saaarks win……………..!!!!!
Mr.G
Roar Rookie
Jake's play Frans at 10. We might win the game, but I doubt we'd score four tries. I can't quite understand why he doesn't start Zeilinga at 10. He was good against the Tahs, has made his way through the system, and is a fairly efficient goal kicker, which takes pressure off Steyn's knee. He will certainly offer more than Swiel, who is talented, but looks like too much is being asked of him too early. The other thing I'm not getting is the JP Sbura switch. Ok, Heyneke might have asked him to play JP at 13, but why muddle with the team so late in the season? Sithole is a confidence player, and Sithole at 13 and JP at 14 is far better as a combo than JP at 13 and Sithole at 14. JP was a class wing in 2012, not sure why he wants to switch to OC. Just hope Thomas du Toit doesn't pick up an injury, with Chadwick and Beast both out. BB- we did try flinging it a bit around against the Cheetahs, but as it tends to happen, final passes didn't stick, and there was nothing to show for a few good phases of play. My hopes- Highlanders (somehow!) beat Crusaders and if possible win the conference. We beat Stormers (BP not required) and go to second. Highlanders beat Chiefs, Crusaders beat Brumbies in a physical battle. We beat Highlanders and let Crusaders and Tahs beat the shit out of each other in the other semi. Final Sharks vs Crusaders at KP, Saaarks win.................!!!!!
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Taute was a good player before and can still hit great form again in future but I've never really rated him as X factor and true international quality. I think Willie has sealed up that number 15 jersey and won't relinquish it for a long time. At least I hope so! He just needs to watch and take some lessons form JPP for his defensive work.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Go Sharks!!!!!! Bring it on Harry ;-) Done it many times in the past, the most recent being the Currie Cuo final in October, and we can do it again!! :-) I really hope that they chase those tries and in turn the 2nd spot on the table. Because they're guaranteed spot 3 at worst they may as well go helter skelter for 2nd, while at the same time ensuring they don't throw their knockout rugby game plan for the playoffs out the window. I hope Jake sees it way!!
Taute has lost form and has not been able to fulfill the promise he showed before his injury. Sadly disappointing